Carma

Yes, I know it's karma, but this is about the car.  Sometimes, I really love this place.  After driving into the city to see La Soledad celebrations, at around 1:30 PM, I drove out to the market in Etla to pick up fresh cheese and produce.  However, when I got out of the car there was that distinctive aroma of antifreeze and steam coming from under the hood.  Something had given up the ghost, but fortunately a mechanic I had used before was nearby.  I drove in, he diagnosed the problem, said the car needed to cool down before he could work on it, but, "No problema," it would be done at five. 

I was out of there in less than five minutes.  I jumped into an Etla collectivo, took it to Viguera, then jumped out and walked back to the house.  At 4:55, the mechanic, Ivan, called to say the car was ready. I walked back to the highway, got in a collectivo and eventually ended up back at the shop where the car was sitting, ready to go.  Ivan had replaced the toma de agua, a part I have not a clue about, and a hose, all done for about $60 US. 

The weird thing is that the car has been running hot for years ever since I took it to the dealer in the city for a complete tuneup and checkup.  Numerous people have tried to solve the problem to no avail, so I had just learned to watch the temperature gauge like a hawk and live it the problem.  Now, however, it appears that that problem is gone and the temp needle sits dead center just like it did before I took it to the dealer.  I am happy and apparently, so it the car.

I think Mexicans are born knowing how to fix cars (and everything else except the country) and I love watching and learning from them.  Who woulda thought that getting one's car repaired could be such a pleasant experience, but it always is here... uh... knock on wood.